#ThaiCaveRescue Continues For Soccer Team [VIDEO]

#ThaiCaveRescue Continues For Soccer Team [VIDEO]

#ThaiCaveRescue Continues For Soccer Team [VIDEO]

First, it was a miracle story of survival in Thailand. Now, it’s becoming a miracle story of heroism and rescue, as the stranded Thai boys’ soccer team and their coach are in the process of making their way to freedom out of the cave they’ve been trapped inside.

For those out there who have not been gripped by this story, the boys and their coach were lost while on a camping trip, and the heavy rains began early while they were in a network of caves.

The boys and their coach, whose team is known as the Wild Boars, became stranded when they were exploring the cave after a practice game on June 23.

Monsoon flooding cut off their escape route and prevented rescuers from finding them for almost 10 days.

Amazingly, all were found alive in a precarious position, having survived by drinking water that was dripping off the cave’s stalactites. Rescue divers immediately brought in aid and supplies, but the flooding now meant that the boys and their coach were cut off from just walking out of the cave. And experts determined that the caves would not become dry again until October. Preparations were made to help the boys and their coach swim out with the help of divers.

But just to give you an idea of just how hazardous this journey is…


And then a retired Thai Navy SEAL died while preparing the escape route.


Finally, it was determined to be time to make the first attempt to get the boys out. Four boys have now made it out of the cave alive.

The first of the four boys rescued Sunday exited the Tham Luang Nang Non cave just before 6 p.m. local time, and his three other team members followed shortly after, Chiang Rai provincial acting Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn said. The boys traveled 0.62 miles underwater before they reached safety.

The children were transported to the hospital — one by ambulance and three by helicopter — once they were able to leave the cave.

The boys’ names nor their conditions were released, but the head of the joint command center coordinating the search said he met with the children and described them as being in “perfect” health and called today’s mission the “best situation.”

Officials had estimated the first phase of the rescue mission would take 12 hours, giving the divers six hours into the cave and back. However, Sunday’s mission took 7 hours and 40 minutes.


However, the rain started again and the rescue was stalled.

According to estimates, phase two of the rescue operation would not begin before 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. local time Monday (9 a.m. or 10 a.m. ET). Officials initially estimated the second phase of the mission would begin 10 to 12 hours after the first — roughly 7 a.m. local time Monday.

Officials told The Associated Press that it could take up to four days to complete the rescue.

And now on their way is a possible lifesaver from Elon Musk.


Necessity being the mother of invention, Elon Musk might be its father in this case.


Reportedly, Musk’s pod is on its way to Thailand now.

Elon Musk’s Space X rocket company plans to send a “tiny kid-sized submarine” in case it’s needed. A spokesman for Musk’s Boring Co. tunneling unit, which has four engineers at the cave, said in an email Sunday that Thai officials had requested the device and that divers have determined it could potentially help the children through narrow, flooded cave passageways.

Musk said on Twitter the aluminum sub would be tested until Sunday midafternoon California time before being placed on a 17-hour flight to Thailand. He posted a video of a diver testing the device in a pool.

In the meantime, the rescue operations will continue as they have begun.


And for a fascinating read, check out the Twitter thread that follows this tweet.


Please be praying for the boys and their coach still in the cave, and for the boys who are now in the hospital. This has been an ordeal for them, but it’s also a triumph of the human will to survive and to accomplish great deeds under immense pressure.

UPDATE 10:10 AM EDT
Four more boys are out.


This is wonderful news, but rescuers are hitting another pause.


Please continue to keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

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3 Comments
  • GWB says:

    the boys and their coach were lost while on a camping trip
    Uhhhh, no.
    Evidently this was a rite of passage they went on as part of the camping trip. They all go deep into the cave complex and carve their names into the cave wall (it’s limestone). They didn’t just “get lost”, the coach intentionally led them deep into that cave complex. They might have gotten lost once they were in there, but it wasn’t just an innocent “Oops! What just happened?”

    their coach swim out with the help of divers
    Pretty sure he’s still in the cave, based on all the articles I see (which list 4 boys and the coach as still trapped). Maybe two coaches?

    the head of the joint command center coordinating the search said he met with the children and described them as being in “perfect” health and called today’s mission the “best situation.”
    I wouldn’t expect a Thai official to say anything else. They have an odd honor culture of never delivering bad news except at the absolute last minute. I dearly loved the Thais except for that bit.
    (Also, because of the honor culture, I expect no one will ever see the coach again.)

    This is an amazing story. Some great deeds being done. BTW, the king has announced the retired SEAL will be given full military honors, which will be a BIG deal there.
    My prayers to the boys and their families, and to all the rescuers.

    • GWB says:

      I meant to also comment re: the “getting lost” thing:
      Given how complicated it is to get out with all the water, at least one of those spots (the “3 Mars bars” bit) would have been stupid to do when it was dry. Did no one ponder the risks at all?

  • […] years ago, when the Thai Boys Soccer Team was stuck in a cave and in danger of drowning, Elon Musk made like NASA in “Apollo 13” […]

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